AUTHOR'S NOTE: I posted TWO chapters today, so please make sure that you read Chapter 38 first before reading this!

(Chapter title is inspired by the song "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage.)

Chapter 39 - The World Is Not Enough

It was dark… so dark, that the surrounding black was starting to suffocate her. Panic-stricken, Sakura looked for the light, although a part of her feared that she might never find it again.

"Sakura! Help me!" a voice then cried out, the voice of a young boy.

"Anthony?" she called in return, the word phrased as a question even though she knew with absolutely certainty that it was him.

"Anthony, where are you!?"

But the only response to her shouts was a booming laugh originating from behind her, and it was with absolute dread that she then turned around, knowing exactly what she'd find - or who - as if she'd been here many, many times before.

Even so, the hulking face that loomed over her was even more monstrous than she remembered, and she involuntarily shrieked as its mouth began to open.

"No, don't hurt him!" she screamed, powerless to do anything but beg. But the stone mask of course ignored her pleas, instead releasing a purple blast in her direction.

Even though the spell should have killed her, it harmlessly passed right through her - for some reason, she was spared. But the magic lit up the area around her with its sinister light, allowing Sakura to finally see Anthony, and she watched in horror as it collided with the boy she'd wanted so fervently to protect.

"Sakura!" he cried out again, the sound of her name distorted by the immense pain he was in, and she started to sob.

"No!" she wailed as she watched him transform into a Faceless, but there was nothing she could do for him.

But, why… why did this have to happen? All she'd wanted was to give him the love that he'd always been deprived of.

… And instead, she'd only given him death.

"Anthony!"

It was her own scream that finally released her from her torment, waking her from the terrible dream. Even so, it took a moment for her to orient herself while she was so distraught - she was in Nohr, not Valla, not Valla.

She then thought of Leo, her mind reaching for him as instinctively as her lungs might reach for air. But it was her thoughts of him that always protected her in these moments, just as she knew he would always protect her in the flesh.

Did he even know what he meant to her? Could he even understand if she tried to explain it? When they'd parted last night, he'd told her that he wasn't the source of her strength, but he truly had no idea how much she relied on her thoughts of him to keep her sane whenever despair loomed so threateningly on the horizon. Perhaps her strength did lie in her heart like he claimed, but it seemed to be a silly distinction when her heart belonged to him and him alone.

Now, though, he was more than just a reverie that she was trying to cling onto, because he was here, really here, sleeping just down the hall from her. Her feet then hit the rug beneath her bed as if she were in a trance, her body mechanically bringing her toward what it knew she needed, so that he could hold her, kiss her, tell her that everything would be all right.

… Unless, that is, he was currently with someone else. Perhaps a woman that he intended to make his concubine…

Already at the door, her hand promptly released the knob, as if she'd been burned.

Closing her eyes, she leaned her forehead against the door. Hana was right… she had to talk to Leo about this, sooner rather than later. She had to learn the truth… and if Leo really did intend to be with other women, then she had to be honest with him and tell him how she felt. Always she tried to put the needs of others before her own, but in this, in just this one thing, she couldn't. She couldn't share him with another, she… she just…

… She just needed to get dressed.

Opening her wardrobe, she was surprised to see several Nohrian frocks hanging within it… someone must have put them there while she was being wed. Fortunately, none of them were as hideous as the gown she'd had to wear yesterday, and their designs were rather simple. Still, after she changed into one of the black dresses and looked in the nearby mirror glass, it seemed strange to see herself in such clothes. She almost felt like… like an impostor, and even more so when she put on the Nohrian crown that had been left for her on her nightstand.

Even though she had no notion of what time it was - there was no window in her room, and even if there was, she knew that the sky outside would only be black - she decided that she should go and find her siblings. They were leaving early today, after all, and she wanted to say goodbye to them. Yet fortunately they were already awake and prepared to leave by the time she found them, and after they left, she decided that she needed to find Leo. Truthfully, she had no idea where she should even begin to look for him, but she supposed that the throne room might be a good place to start.

Sakura shyly asked the castle guards for directions whenever she passed one, grateful when they were kind to her. Perhaps she'd been worrying over nothing when she'd feared that the Nohrian people would detest her. But as she passed through the Great Hall, she overheard several Nohrian women conversing with each other, and once she realized that they were talking about her, she couldn't help but listen in…

"Poor King Leo. Having to marry a Hoshidan of all things," one of them said, her words followed by a dramatic sigh.

"I know," another agreed. "And isn't the older Hoshidan sister supposed to be a skilled warrior? To offer him the younger sister instead, especially considering how weak she looks… what an insult."

"Speaking of her looks, have you seen her garish pink hair?" a third woman interjected. "It's such a tragedy."

"It is quite ghastly," the last woman stated, her words even more biting considering how beautiful she was, with her pearl blue hair, clear gray eyes, and tall buxom figure. "However, where you see tragedy, I only see opportunity."

"Oh?"

"Indeed," she affirmed. "Surely her odd looks will leave the king wanting. And besides, I heard from some sources that the queen didn't even go to his bedchamber last night. If she's that frigid, then it's only a matter of time before the king starts taking on concubines… and I plan to be the first in line."

"And how are you going to pull that off?" one of the others asked.

"Trust me, I have my ways," the woman promised, and Sakura was sure that with her beauty, she could have any man she wanted… maybe even Leo.

"Yes, the king will be mine soon… very soon."

Unable to bear listening any longer, Sakura turned on her heels and ran. She didn't even know where she was going, and she didn't care - she just knew that she needed to get as far away from those women as possible. But since she wasn't paying attention, she didn't realize that she was about to collide with someone until it was too late… and that's how she crashed right into the plentiful bosom of Princess Camilla.

Although Sakura supposed she was fortunate to at least bump into something so soft, the impact still hurt, and she put a hand to her aching head. Yet once she realized what she'd done, she almost trembled as she looked up at the taller woman, expecting her to be furious.

Strangely, though, Camilla was only smiling with amusement.

"My, my, aren't you in a hurry?" she asked, her tone bordering on something between friendly and teasing.

Even so, Sakura paled. Of all the people to run into right now, did it have to be the most intimidating person in the castle?

"I'm so s-sorry, Princess Camilla," she stammered, taking a step backward. "I… I guess that I just didn't s-see you there."

"Oh, you precious thing!" Camilla chuckled, as if she were talking to a pet that she wanted to play with. "I didn't mean to scare you, darling."

"N-no, it's not that. It's j-just-"

"You look like you could use some tea to calm your nerves," Camilla noted, smiling invitingly. "I was just about to have some. Won't you join me?"

Somewhat taken aback by Camilla's offer, Sakura found herself reflexively nodding, and without much other choice, she began to follow the princess into her chambers.

When they entered the beautifully decorated room, Camilla gestured her to sit on a red-upholstered love seat that had a center carving in the design of the Nohrian crest. Sakura complied, but was surprised when Camilla sat down next to her - at a very close proximity, no less.

Was… wan't she supposed to be making tea?

"You know, I've been meaning to talk to you for some time now," Camilla told her, and she was so close that Sakura could practically feel the princess' breath in her ear.

"O-oh?" Sakura returned, trying to discreetly shuffle away a few centimeters.

"Hmm… this conversation would be much easier if you looked at me," Camilla remarked, and Sakura glanced at her just in time to see her pout. "You can just talk to me like I'm one of your sisters. It's no big deal."

Sakura's eyes widened. "But you're so… different… from my sisters."

"Are you scared of me, then?" Camilla inquired, sliding a bit closer to her. "There's no reason for that, you know. Nohr and Hoshido are allies now, and you are my brother's wife."

"No, I'm n-not scared of you! Well, I mean…maybe a little bit," Sakura finally admitted, blushing profusely. "The thing is, I'd like to get to know you, P-Princess Camilla, but-"

"Camilla," she corrected.

"Right… C-Camilla," Sakura said, dropping her honorific. "But you're just so… so… intimidating!"

"I suppose that I do tend to make that impression on people," Camilla noted, chuckling with amusement. "But darling, I'd like to get to know you, too, especially now that you're my sister. So, let's see. What should we talk about?"

"Um…" Sakura muttered, trying and failing to think of anything they might have in common.

"How about this - Leo tells me that you started an orphanage in Notre Sagesse. Is that true?"

Sakura's face fell. Her heart broke whenever she thought of those poor children. The only reason they were orphaned in the first place was because she'd caused her father such torment, after all…

While nodding silently to answer Camilla's question, she found herself nervously squeezing her dress in her hands.

"I see," Camilla purred. "Well, I just started an orphanage in Nohr myself. Perhaps you'd like to visit it with me? It would be so nice to spend some time together."

"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, somewhat surprised. "That s-sounds wonderful. I'd love to go with y-you…"

Camilla scooted even closer still, and it almost felt to Sakura as if the woman were directly on top of her. "I'm very glad to hear that. Besides, I think it will be good for you to see Windmire. I usually visit the children around suppertime - would tonight work for you?"

"Y-yes, of course," Sakura promised.

"Good. I'll be glad to have you with me."

Sakura smiled, but even though she was truly looking forward to their plans together, she soon found her thoughts wandering to something that had been bothering her.

"Princess… I mean, Camilla," she then said, shuffling nervously in her seat. "Can… c-can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Camilla assured her, seeming intrigued. "You can ask me anything."

Sakura nodded to show her appreciation. "Um, well, b-before he… changed… did King Garon truly love Queen Katerina and Queen Arete?"

Camilla tilted her head curiously.

"He did… why do you ask?"

"Because he loved them, and yet… he still took on concubines?"

Understanding seemed to light up her eyes. "Ah… so that's what has you so upset," Camilla realized. Then, she sighed. "Well, I don't want to lie to you. The ruler of Nohr always takes on concubines. That's just how things are done here."

"Oh…" Sakura responded, unable to stop her shoulders from sagging.

"Keep your chin up, dear - there's no need to be so gloomy," Camilla chided. "Considering the environment we grew up in, I'm sure that Leo will be careful not to pit you and his mistresses against each other, like our father did. Now, I can see how the thought of Leo being intimate with someone else might be… unpleasant for you, but it would only be for the primary purpose of having more children, really. After all, I've seen how much Leo loves you… if you can't hold dominion over his body, is it not enough for you to hold dominion over his heart?"

Sakura blushed, although she didn't know which of Camilla's statements mortified her most. Yet as she imagined Leo kissing someone the same way he kissed her… touching someone in the same way… she felt that same familiar tightening in her chest.

Sighing, she resolved herself to accept that maybe Camilla was right… maybe she was just overreacting. As long as he loved her, then maybe that would be enough for her…

Even though she'd been avoiding eye contact with Camilla for most of their conversation, Sakura couldn't help but sneak yet another glance at the princess, and she suddenly found herself staring. It's just that, Camilla was so beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful person that Sakura had ever seen. She then recalled the horrible words of those Nohrian women in the Great Hall, and for a moment, she wondered if Camilla might be able to help her. Although she'd never considered herself to be vain, Sakura thought that if she could at least be prettier, then maybe that would help her keep a hold of Leo's heart when he… when he…

"Um, c-can I ask you something else?" she requested, and Camilla nodded at her. "Do you, um… do you think that my h-hair is… garish?"

Camilla seemed a bit startled by the question, but she soon smiled. "My goodness, you're too precious. But no, I don't think your hair is garish… although, I suppose that it does make you stand out. There's no one in Nohr with hair quite like yours, you know… not that that's a bad thing. Actually, I'm rather jealous."

Sakura frowned. It seemed highly unlikely that Camilla could ever be envious of anything with regard to her looks.

"I d-don't want to stand out, though," she admitted. "If anything, I just w-want to blend in. Do you think you could help me with that?"

"Oh… so that's why you're wearing such a drab little dress," Camilla noted, and Sakura flushed once more.

"I just want to show the Nohrian people that I care about their culture," she explained. "I w-want… I want them to think of me as their queen."

"Well, do you think of yourself as our queen?" Camilla asked.

No… she still found the notion to be quite absurd, in fact.

"It d-doesn't matter what I think…"

"On the contrary, it matters very much," Camilla told her. "How do you expect others to see you as a queen when you don't see yourself as one? And as for you embracing Nohrian culture, I don't understand the benefit of Leo having a Hoshidan wife if you're only going to push your heritage aside. I think that the goal should be to have our people accept your culture, should it not?"

Sakura shrugged. "I… I guess I never thought of it that way."

"Would you like my advice?" Camilla offered, and Sakura nodded emphatically. "Whether you wear something Hoshidan or Nohrian, it really doesn't matter. What's important is that you wear something that makes you feel good, something that makes you feel confident - like you're a queen. And once you start to feel like a queen, then the people will start to see you as one."

"Something that makes me feel like a queen…" Sakura repeated, wondering if that was even possible.

"You're welcome to look through my closet, if you'd like," Camilla offered. "I have several things that would look just adorable on you, if we were to tailor them to your size…"

Sakura balked at the thought of wearing anything even remotely as revealing as Camilla. But then she realized that she already had exactly what she needed, anyway. The dresses that Hinoka had given her… her mother's dresses. Sakura remembered how beautiful her mother had looked in them, how regal. Nothing would make her feel more like a queen than those…

"Thank you, Camilla," she then said. "I, um, I d-don't need to borrow any outfits from you, but I really appreciate your advice. And, besides, I… I think I know what I should do now."

Leo sighed as he drummed his fingers against the large oaken conference table, looking idly at the faces of the council members surrounding him.

So many meetings… they never seemed to end, did they? This was his fourth of the day, and it was only ten in the morning - although, of course, he'd been up since six. Ever since he'd been crowned king, it just felt as if every minute of his day was spoken for.

Even so, he knew that this conference in particular was important. In the council meetings, they were meant to discuss the most pressing issues affecting Nohr - of which there was a never-ending list - as well as suggest improvements to the kingdom.

"Your grace, we have some extra time remaining," Rath noted… a rare occurrence indeed. "Is there anything in particular you'd like to discuss today?"

Leo nodded. As much as he'd like to dismiss the meeting early and have a brief respite, he knew he needed to take advantage of this time.

"In fact, there is," he began. "How has the endeavor to bring electricity to Windmire been progressing?"

Rath raised a disapproving eyebrow at him. "Have you not gone into the town to see for yourself?" he inquired.

"Unfortunately, I haven't had the time," Leo noted with a frustrated sigh. "But that's what you're here for, isn't it? So, what do you have to report?"

The side of Rath's mouth tilted slightly upward, and Leo wondered if that was the closest thing he'd seen to a smile on the stern man's face. "Well, then, I'm thrilled to inform to you that the project has been a resounding success. The electric lights in Windmire are much brighter than any oil lamps, and have helped the people feel safer from brigands and roving Faceless. Moreover, since we're not currently at war, General Silas has been able to use his forces to further curb those threats."

"It's true," Niles chimed in. "The people aren't hiding underground as much, and Windmire has finally stopped looking like a ghost town."

"Very good," Leo breathed, unable to hide his relief.

"Yes," Forde agreed. "Although, there is still the problem of resources. We're lacking in both manpower - that is, mages who are able to sustain the electricity spells - as well as the required lightning tomes. Currently, we're able to keep the town lit from noon to eight, but ideally, we'd be able to start in the morning and end at ten."

"Why start at noon now?" Leo asked. "Why not maintain the spells during normal business hours?"

"As you know, your grace, we don't get much natural light in Nohr," Rath explained. "However, the sky is slightly brighter in the mornings, until noon, when it becomes pitch black. The lights are simply more necessary then."

Leo nodded, impressed by his advisor's thinking. Truthfully, he should have thought of that himself. Perhaps if he hadn't been so distracted lately…

"I'm pleased by everyone's efforts," he told them. "In any case, I truly believe that magic will be the key to making Nohr thrive. It may take some time for us to build up the resources we need, but we have to start somewhere. For now, ask General Silas if he'll be able to spare the mages and tomes that are in service to the army for this cause. Since we're not at war, I don't foresee it being an issue.

"As for planning for the future," Leo continued, "I want the Mages' Guild to be instructed to produce only lightning tomes for the time being, until we have a surplus. I also want state-funded programs to scout for young talent with magical ability, as well as to train them to become competent mages. Joining the program for those selected will be completely voluntary, of course, so we'll also want to ensure that we offer enticing incentives. Perhaps gold, or status… whatever you think would be adequate, Rath."

A snort came from Draxon, the man in charge of overseeing Nohr's weapon stock.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Do you object to this plan, Draxon?"

The man paled, as if suddenly realizing what he'd done.

"N-no, your grace, please, c-carry on," he stammered, clearly terrified.

"You can speak freely with me," Leo assured him. "I promise that no harm will come to you for sharing your opinions. And that goes for all of you in this council. It won't benefit Nohr if I'm only surrounded by sycophants, after all."

The man still looked afraid, although Leo couldn't exactly blame him. It's not as if he'd been pleasant to deal with over the last several months, and on top of that, he could only imagine what kind of horrific things his father had done to anyone second guessing his opinions.

Eventually though, the man nodded, agreeing to continue.

"Well, it's just that… you're a mage, your grace," Draxon stated. "It just seems a bit - and forgive me for saying so - but a bit vain for you to put such a high status on mages."

The room became so silent that the sound of a pin dropping in that moment would have been as commanding as a mighty clap of thunder, and everyone in the room looked to Leo warily.

But to the council's surprise, Leo only smirked. "I'll tell you a poorly kept secret, Draxon. I am a bit vain. Modesty has never been my strong suit, which is exactly why I need all of you to put me in my place from time to time."

He then stood, beginning to pace.

"However, regarding the question of magic and its importance to our kingdom - I still believe that this is our way forward, that magic can be used for so much more than just weaponry. Steel has been our most precious commodity for so long, and for good reason. It has allowed us to create the weapons we fight with, and allowed us to grow into the powerful kingdom we are today, a kingdom that we should all be proud of. And yet, so much of that growth was false - rather than develop our own kingdom from within, we've instead conquered others to expand.

"My dream for Nohr is not to rely on steel to take what we need from others anymore, but to use magic to make what we need for ourselves," he continued. "It is magic that can, both literally and figuratively, pull our kingdom from these dark ages."

Only after he finished speaking did Leo realize exactly what he'd said, and it was with dread that he looked back at the members of the council, expecting that they'd think him to be some kind of youthful, naive fool. But what he found instead was pride in their eyes… pride for Nohr, for what it could be. They… gods, they actually believed in his vision.

It wasn't long afterward that the council was dismissed, and Leo began to walk down Krakenburg's hallways to attend his next meeting while accompanied by Niles, Forde, and Rath.

Forde let out a small whistle.

"Leo, you totally killed it in there!" he noted.

"You will refer to the king as 'your grace,'" Rath scolded, reminding Forde for what must have been the hundredth time. Not that Leo cared how Forde addressed him, but he did enjoy Rath's relentless attempts to make the man adhere to proper decorum.

"Sure, sure," Forde mumbled dismissively. "But, hey, when that one guy snorted at you in there, and then called you vain - hah! I really thought you were going to lose it."

"Normally he would have, but his grace seems to be in a better mood today," Niles noted, his face set in an impish smirk. "Hmm, I wonder why…"

"In any case, your grace, you handled the situation perfectly," Rath noted, although it hardly sounded like praise in his dry, matter-of-fact tone. "War has forced our people to always live in the present, but you've given them a reason to start looking to the future now. They're finally seeing Nohr as a kingdom where there will be a prosperous future for their children."

Without even realizing it, Leo started to imagine his own child, living in a thriving Nohr… but once he registered what he was doing, he froze in his tracks.

The party around him stopped as well, but he didn't even notice. Instead, it only just seemed to hit him - if Sakura was truly barren, as her healers had predicted, then he would never have a child of his own to grow up in the Nohr he was trying so hard to create. And even the loss of that imaginary child he'd only just concocted hurt him in a way that surprised him. Truthfully, he'd been so preoccupied with Sakura's feelings on the matter, and the issues that would arise regarding his heir, that he'd never even stopped to think of his own loss.

"Your grace?" Niles began worriedly. "Is there something wrong?"

Leo shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "No, it's nothing," he assured them. "Let's keep going."

They continued to walk, but Leo now found himself distracted. His mind just seemed to be fixated on the issue, unable to stop thinking about the future he might never have…

That is, until he saw her.

Sakura…

But he wasn't the only one who noticed her. Actually, it was quite impossible to miss her with the way her white dress stood out in a sea of black, and as a result, everyone she passed began to gawk openly.

However, it wasn't only the color of her garment that drew Leo's attention. The dress itself was just… well, very beautiful with all of its gold embellishments, including a pair of golden shoulder guards that gave a commanding shape to her petite frame. Underneath the white fabric - which, he noted, fit her perfectly - was also a radiant, turquoise skirt that matched the color of her golden-lined cape. Yet even though her outfit was distinctly Hoshidan, she still wore the Nohrian queen's diadem atop her head, which was very similar to Leo's crown, although thinner, smaller, and with a more feminine shape.

It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that she quite literally took his breath away, since his mind and body were so focused on her that he couldn't seem to remember to draw breath. Yet, perhaps more impressively, the tumultuous thoughts that he'd been having earlier quickly subsided, her presence once again triggering a feeling of much-welcome peace within him.

He hadn't been aware that he'd stopped walking again until he noticed her face light up upon seeing him, inciting her to scurry toward him.

"Leo," she greeted once she reached him, smiling at him in a way that filled him with a feeling he could never seem to adequately describe. "I'm so glad that I found you. I've been looking for you all morning…"

I've been looking for you my all my life, he almost murmured, but he had enough awareness to realize that particular point wasn't relevant to their present conversation.

"Have you?" he asked instead, his eyes continuing to soak up the sight of her as if he were in a feverish daze. "Ah, I'm sorry, you'll have to forgive me for staring… I know you quite hate that. But it's just that I can't seem to take my eyes off of you…"

Her ensuing blush had been predictable, although it hadn't been his intent to embarrass her… he was simply stating facts.

But as she murmured a shy "thank you," she began to look around warily, and it was only then that Leo came to his senses and realized that he wasn't the only one staring. Rather, they now had an audience consisting of Hana, who was by Sakura's side, as well as his own retainers and Rath, and all of the other Nohrians who had happened to be in the hallway.

Leo cleared his throat. "I'd like a moment alone with my wife, please…"

His look more than his words seemed to spur those around him into action, and the hallway quickly started to clear out - other than Rath, who seemed hesitant to leave.

"Your grace, Chieftain Kilma has been waiting to see you, and we're late for our meeting," his advisor warned. "It would be prudent if-"

"Kilma can wait five more minutes, then," Leo growled, giving Rath a glare that indicated the matter wasn't up for debate.

Rath nodded, leaving reluctantly. But when Leo sighed with relief, Sakura only frowned.

"I'm sorry, Leo," she told him. "I… I didn't mean to cause you trouble."

"You didn't," he promised. "In fact, I wanted to see you, too. I said goodbye to Ryoma earlier this morning, so I know that your family has left by now. Are you settling in here all right without them?"

"Yes," she promised. "But… there is s-something that I need to talk to you about… um, when you have the time, that is."

His eyes crinkled with concern. Whatever was on her mind, he could tell that it was bothering her. For a moment he considered blowing off his meeting with Kilma entirely to talk to her now, but he knew that the Ice Tribe were a prideful people, and Kilma wouldn't take such a slight very well. Like Cheve, Leo planned to let the Ice Tribe peacefully secede once Nohr became more stable; yet the tribe was growing impatient, and if Leo wanted to ward off another war, he was forced to do everything he could to appease their stalwart chieftain.

"Listen, I can't miss this next engagement," he told her, cursing himself for pushing aside the needs of his wife yet again. "Actually, I'm stuck in important meetings all day. But I'll be free by suppertime. Perhaps we could eat dinner together and talk then?"

"O-oh!" Sakura exclaimed, biting at her lip nervously. "Well, it's j-just that, I promised Princess Camilla I would go with her to the orphanage at suppertime."

"Camilla?" he repeated, unable to hide his surprise that she and Sakura were spending time together - for various reasons - although he was glad that Sakura was managing to find some companionship here. But another thought then crossed his mind…

"You plan to leave the castle and venture into Windmire?" he asked, worried for her safety. In the castle he had guards stationed everywhere, guards who had been ordered to keep a close watch on her. But for her to venture into the streets of Nohr, where he couldn't account for her protection…

"Yes," she affirmed. "Um, is something wrong with that?"

He shook his head. "No, it's just… Sakura, I'm not sure if it's safe yet for you to be out in the town. There's still some anti-Hoshidan sentiment here, and for you to-"

"Are you saying that I c-can't go?" she asked, pulling away from him, and he could see the potent hurt in her eyes.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that no, she couldn't go… that, as her king and husband, he was ordering her to stay here in the castle, where it was safe. But he then remembered their conversation in Caer Pelyn, when he'd promised her that he would always consider her feelings instead of making decisions for her, and he sighed in defeat.

"Of course you can go," he told her, noting the visible relief on her face. "However, Hana is your only retainer now since you still haven't chosen a second, and she's not familiar with this kingdom. Would you take some of the castle guards with you? For my peace of mind, if nothing else?"

For a moment he expected her to resist, but she must have realized how difficult this was for him, so instead she just nodded. "I will. Thank you, Leo."

Well, that was at least somewhat of a relief.

"When will you be back?" he asked.

"I… I'm not sure," she admitted.

"Well, whenever you do get back, why don't you come to my chambers and we can talk then?" he suggested, smirking as her blush deepened.

Not that he blamed her; he certainly intended to do more than just talk. It had been so long since they'd been intimate together, after all. In fact, their final night in Caer Pelyn had been the last time that they'd…

First, though, he wanted to ensure that whatever was upsetting her was resolved, since that was the most important matter at hand. But after that… gods, how he longed for her!

He was so distracted by the thought that he barely even noticed when she nodded, or when she said her sweet goodbyes to him - even though he was disappointed when she did. He wanted to grab her hand and pull her back to him, to beg for a few more stolen minutes with her… but alas, duty called.

It always did.

Sakura gasped as she entered the city of Windmire, marveling at all the electric lights scattered throughout the area. They were shining so brightly in the darkness that they looked like earthly stars, giving the town a degree of charm that Sakura truly hadn't been expecting.

The way that the streets were bustling with people only added to her surprise, especially considering how dark and quiet things had been when she'd arrived in Nohr yesterday morning. It was both thrilling and intimidating to see such crowds, although Sakura suspected that the ones who stopped to stare at her and her companions were more confused than anything.

Really, they had no way of even knowing that she was their queen. Because she feared that someone might try and steal it, she'd chosen not to wear her crown; and although she still had on her Hoshidan dress, it was covered by a heavy black cloak to protect her from the chilly night air. If anything, her companions were much more conspicuous - mainly, the three castle guards that Leo had forced upon her, as well as the beautiful Nohrian princess, Camilla.

While she watched the Nohrian people, who were in turn watching her, Sakura's interest soon turned into horror. Even though some of them appeared to be strong and healthy, there were so many others who looked sickly and gaunt.

"Camilla, these people… they're…"

"Starving?" Camilla finished. "Actually, it used to be worse, much worse - at least, until we started receiving Hoshidan food shipments last month. Before that, only the people living in Krakenburg and those who joined the army were guaranteed their meals. But don't fret so much, darling… Leo now ensures that everyone is well fed."

Merciful gods, it was just so awful to see, especially the emaciated children. Even if these children were being fed properly now, would their growth be stunted from so many years of malnutrition? Truthfully, a part of her even felt ashamed that Hoshido had let the Nohrians suffer like this for so long, when her kingdom had always been blessed with a surplus of food.

Trying to put it from her mind, Sakura let herself take in the city sights, smiling as she walked by a peddling cobbler, and enjoying the performance of a nearby fiddler who had been playing for tips. As they continued on into a residential area, Sakura then came to realize that the streets were laid out like a grid, with all the houses crammed next to each other in perpendicular lines. It was just so different from Shirasagi, where everything was much more spaced out, and the buildings were usually developed near bodies of water and popular roads.

One line of houses that they passed had these strange, red markings on their doors, and Sakura furrowed her brow.

"Camilla, what do those symbols mean?" she inquired, looking up at the princess.

"They indicate that the inhabitants of those houses are sick with the plague," Camilla explained. "It's a warning to stay away."

"Plague?" Sakura repeated, alarmed by the revelation. She was relieved, at least, that she'd brought her Sun Festal with her, and she hurriedly unlatched it from her dress. "But, I c-can help them!"

"Can you? Really?" the princess wondered, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Not to doubt you, darling, but I've heard that plague can be quite difficult to heal. Even plague clerics can have difficulty treating it…"

Her skepticism was understandable. Although the majority of illnesses and non-fatal injuries could be easily cured by staves, plague was a special case due to the severity of the disease. Furthermore, if the treatment failed, a healer could risk contracting it. Still, it was treatable, as long as the healer's magic was strong enough and they used the proper techniques to eradicate the illness.

"It… it is difficult," Sakura affirmed. "But yes, I can do it."

"Ah, so that's where all your confidence was hiding… right there, in that little staff of yours," Camilla remarked, shaking her head as she chuckled. "Not tonight, though, dearest. The children at the orphanage are counting on me to be there after all, and I can't just leave you here alone."

"But, I'm n-not alone," Sakura insisted. "I have Hana with me, and the guards that Leo sent with us." If anything, her entourage was bordering on excessive…

Still, Camilla hesitated, and it took a long moment before she consented.

"All right, but come to the orphanage as soon as you're done - that is, assuming that you can truly do what you claim. I don't want any of the children to catch the disease."

"Of course," Sakura agreed. "I would never put the children at r-risk."

"I suppose it's settled, then," Camilla noted, but her words were followed by a worried sigh. "Your guards know the city well, and they'll be able to find me. Just… be careful, darling."

She nodded, but after Camilla left and Sakura turned to the rest of her companions, she realized that they all seemed uneasy at the prospect of entering the marked houses.

"The king can't really expect us to go in there?" one of the guards murmured to another, and there was clear terror in his eyes. "I pledged to him that I would protect the queen, but this is suicide…"

"It's all right," Sakura assured him, startling him as she put a comforting hand on his arm. "I would appreciate it if you would just wait outside for me. These houses are too small to fit us all, anyway. Hana will watch over me while we're inside."

But even Hana seemed anxious.

"Sakura… you know that I'd follow you anywhere, but… is this really wise?" she pressed.

"There's nothing to worry about," Sakura insisted. "I've treated this illness before."

"Even so, we know nothing of Nohrian plague," Hana countered. "What if it's worse than the kind in Hoshido, and you can't heal it?"

Sighing, Sakura looked to the ground. Maybe Hana had a point. But then again, Sakura had faith in her healing skills - she'd been trained by her mother, after all, and on top of that, she'd spent a lot of time studying medical texts so that she could help as many people as possible. She could do this, she knew she could…

Still, just in case she failed, she didn't want to endanger her friend.

"Hana, you're right, of course… so, I want you to wait outside with the guards," she instructed. "However, as the queen, it is my duty to look after my people. I'll go in alone."

The guards looked as if they weren't sure whether to admire her courage or lament her stupidity, but Hana only grunted.

"Like hell I'm letting you go in there alone," she muttered, going so far as to grab Sakura's hand and drag her over to the first house. "Wherever you go, I go - it's as simple as that."

"Hana… thank you," Sakura responded, feeling stronger as long as her friend was by her side.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked at the first door. When no one answered, she and Hana looked at each other, wondering what to do next. As Hana shrugged, Sakura steeled her nerves and opened the door, praying that there would be more than just corpses waiting for them inside.

Once they entered and closed the door, though, Sakura was relieved to see a woman limping toward them.

"Stop… you must leave this cursed place," she warned, although her pleas could barely be heard over the piercing screams of a nearby baby. "We have the plague here… you'll only catch it if you stay!"

"It's all right. I'm here to help you," Sakura promised, her voice calm and reassuring, just like her mother had taught her.

"You're a… a plague cleric?" the woman inquired. "Are you from Macarath, then?"

"W-well, I-"

But the baby's screams were growing louder now, and there was a fear in the woman's eyes that was so potent, so profound, that it made Sakura ache.

"Please, you have to help my child!" the woman begged, not waiting for Sakura to answer her questions. "He's so ill, and I… I'm afraid he might…"

"Take me to him at once," Sakura ordered.

The woman nodded as she led Sakura and Hana into the adjacent room, but Sakura had to hold back a gasp when she saw the grotesque black spots marring the baby's pink skin. This child... he wouldn't have long to live, another day at most.

Wasting no time, Sakura lifted her rod and whispered her words of healing, concentrating on the spell as she tuned out the child's screams and his mother's desperate cries. With her festal as the conduit, her healing magic then flowed into the baby, magic that she was forced to to sustain for quite some time due to how far the disease had progressed.

When she could bear it no longer, Sakura gasped, causing her spell to immediately cease. Apprehensively, she then opened her eyes, worried that it hadn't worked… but to her great relief, the baby looked healthy again, its frightened screams now replaced by happy coos.

With that taken care of, Sakura then focused on the woman, repeating the steps required to eradicate the disease in her as well. Fortunately, she hadn't been as ill as her baby, and the process was a little easier this time.

"Oh, thank you, milady," the woman gushed, near tears as she held onto her child. "You must be an angel that was sent by the gods! I don't have much to offer, but I can spare some coppers, if it pleases you."

"I need no payment," Sakura assured her, but now that the required healing had been administered, the woman's profuse gratitude was making her feel self-conscious. "Just be s-sure to rest for a few days. I was able to heal you and your child of the illness, but you'll still be weak for some time yet. You'll also want to b-burn whatever you can spare to get rid of."

"I will, milady," the woman promised. "Please, just tell me who you are, so that I can bless you in my prayers."

"O-oh, I'm no one. I'm j-just-"

"She is Queen Sakura of Nohr, wife to King Leo," Hana said proudly, causing Sakura to blush.

The woman's eyes widened, but her reaction appeared to be more from fear than surprise. While still holding her child, she knelt awkwardly on the rotting, wooden floor, bowing her head submissively. "F-forgive me, milady! Had I known who you were, I would have given you the proper respect. P-please, don't tell the king that I-"

"You may rise," Sakura told her, shifting uncomfortably. "And you needn't fear the king - he is a kind man who cares very much for his people."

The woman seemed unconvinced, but she nodded as she stood.

"As you say, milady."

Although Sakura was tired from her efforts, she wasn't entirely drained, so she went to the next house, then the next, then next, until she'd visited five houses. But by then her energy was beginning to wane, and as she headed toward the sixth house, she started to sway on her feet.

"Sakura, you need to stop," Hana told her, her wide eyes reflecting her concern. "There's too many marked houses, and you can't do all of this alone. If anything, you'll just get sick yourself. We can always come back again tomorrow…"

"No, I-I… I can keep going," Sakura promised, even though her eyelids were willing her to keep them closed.

"Sakura…"

"I, I j-just… I need a moment to rest," she insisted, leaning against a nearby tree.

As she shut her eyes, she could hear Hana's soft footsteps, which were growing slightly fainter. She then heard Hana telling her guards that it was time for them all to join up with Princess Camilla.

Waiting until Hana's footsteps sounded close to her again before opening her eyes, Sakura was about to protest to her friend that she was fine and could continue. It wasn't Hana who'd approached her, though, but rather a raggedy man with a peg leg, and Sakura gasped in surprise.

"There's been talk of a traveling healer in these parts, so I came to see for myself," the man explained. "You must be her, then? You see, I lost my leg in the Battle of the Bottomless Canyon, and I think the wound might be infected. Can you help me?"

She walked over to him. "Oh, of c-course! I-"

But her words died in her throat as another man then appeared, his panting indicating that he'd been running for some time.

"Are you the healer that everyone has been talking about? You need to help my child!" he insisted, surprising her as he grabbed her arm. "She has a terrible cough… I'll take you to her!"

"B-but-"

"My husband has the plague," a woman then wailed, walking up to Sakura and pulling on her cloak from the other side. "I haven't been able to return home for weeks because our house has been marked. Gods, I don't even know if he's still alive - please, you need to go to him!"

"I… I-"

"Get away! I was here first!" the one-legged man shouted, grabbing onto her hood.

"My child needs her more!" the man holding her arm spat, yanking on it so roughly that Sakura cried out.

"Hey! All of you! Get back!" Hana growled, running to Sakura's side as she tried to pry the man away from her.

Before Sakura could register what was happening, even more people started to approach her, all of them begging for her help, until she was completely surrounded by a descending mob.

"Just form a line and I c-can help you all!" Sakura ordered, but they were all so desperate that they didn't listen. Yet they were pushing and pulling at her so hard by now that even the sturdy fabric of her cloak began to rip, and she gasped from the pain of being manhandled so roughly.

"Please, you're h-hurting me!" she told them, completely terrified as she tried to pull herself free.

"Lady Sakura!" Hana screamed, although she was too petite in her own right to perform effective crowd control. But the armored castle guards were also pushing their way toward her, forcefully shoving people aside with their steel-covered elbows and gauntlets.

One of the guards then started to pull out his sword.

"No! Don't hurt them!" Sakura begged, and even though the man gave her an annoyed grunt, she was grateful when he slid his sword back into its sheath.

While two of the guards were beating people back, the third picked her up to carry her away from the mob. Despite his fearsome looks and bearlike figure, Sakura clutched at him fiercely, praying to her gods that she wouldn't be pulled back down by the people who were trying to grab at her clothing.

There was just so much shouting and chaos around them that the next few minutes went by in a blur, and it wasn't until Sakura's feet returned to solid ground that she finally came to her senses again. Although she had no semblance of how long it had taken for the guard to bring her to safety, or any idea of where they even were, she thanked the gentle giant who had saved her for his help.

Still trembling from her ordeal, she then looked around frantically.

"H-Hana!" she cried, fearing that her friend was still lost in the mob.

"I'm right here," her friend called out from behind her, and Sakura immediately ran to her, hugging her tightly.

"Are you okay, Sakura?" Hana asked, scanning her for injury.

But Sakura only shook her head. "N-no… I have to go back. Those people need my h-help, and-"

"You're not going back there," Hana declared, her face darkening significantly. "Those people were about to rip you to pieces."

"B-but-"

"Sakura," Hana interrupted, her voice softer this time. "Those people are beyond your help… there were just too many of them. I'm sorry, but there's nothing you can do for them."

Nothing she could do? But she was the queen of Nohr - those were her people now, and they were suffering! What use was she if she couldn't even help them?

Yet in her heart, she knew that Hana was only speaking the truth, and she sagged against her friend in defeat, letting Hana hold and comfort her.

Sakura wasn't sure how long they stayed like that before she saw Camilla and the other two castle guards walking briskly toward them.

"My poor, sweet darling, are you all right?" Camilla inquired, noticing her dirty and disheveled state. "These men came to get me… they said it was urgent. Goodness, whatever happened?"

"A mob of Nohrians assaulted Sakura," Hana explained, her brows drawn in anger. "They nearly killed her!"

Sakura shook her head. "It's n-not like that. They were just ill, and n-needed my help. Besides, we're f-fine, really. You didn't have to leave the children…"

"It's all right," Camilla assured her. "I was just leaving, anyway - it's growing rather late as it is, and those little dears will be going to bed soon. But I'm relieved to see that you're still in one piece… although, I suspect that Leo will want to have some words with me once he finds out what happened tonight."

Sakura didn't think it was possible for her to feel any worse, and yet, her head sagged even lower at the thought of causing a rift between Camilla and Leo.

"I'm s-sorry, I-"

"Oh, there's no need for you to fret, you precious thing," Camilla promised. "I can handle Leo. But let's just go back to the castle, shall we?"

"The lights will be going out soon," the large, burly guard noted. "We should take the underground tunnels back to Krakenburg - it's safer."

Sakura nodded, and letting the guards lead them underground, the three women then proceeded toward the castle.

Although under normal circumstances she might have been awed that the tunnels beneath Windmire were like a city of sorts in their own right, Sakura was too lost in her own thoughts to even notice.

"Camilla," she then prompted, suddenly realizing that she'd been biting her lip for quite a while now. "The people of Windmire seemed so desperate for healers and medicines. Why… why isn't Leo doing anything for them?"

"Oh, I'm sure he meant to," Camilla told her, chuckling in amusement. "Knowing Leo, it's on one of his to-do lists somewhere. It's just a question of when he'll actually have time to address it."

Sakura didn't see what was so funny. A lot of people were suffering, dying even. Had she not made it to that baby today, then…

"Don't make that face, dearest - you'll get wrinkles at a young age," Camilla warned. "Besides, you shouldn't think less of him for this. He's doing everything he can for our people, but it's nearly impossible - even for someone as talented as Leo - to manage the burdens of an entire kingdom on his own. Truly, I don't envy him at all."

"Is… is that why you d-deferred your rule to him?" Sakura wondered, keeping her gaze at her feet. "Because you knew how hard it would be?"

Camilla laughed again, but this time it was humorless. "I suppose you think it was selfish of me, then, to leave all this responsibility to Leo?"

Sakura's eyes widened. "N-no… I… I didn't m-mean-"

"Of course you did," Camilla insisted. "And it's okay - you aren't wrong, after all. But you should also understand that being king isn't inherently difficult, and things would be much easier for Leo right now had you not led him down such a punishing path to begin with."

"What do you mean by that?" Hana hissed, but Sakura was too stunned and hurt to even speak.

"Well, Nohr's entire infrastructure and identity revolves around war, of course," Camilla explained. "There was a time when Leo understood that, but now? Rather than working within the system, he's trying to tear it down and rebuild it entirely… and all in the name of everlasting peace."

"I d-don't understand," Sakura said, shaking her head. "What does that have to do with me? Leo has always w-wanted peace…"

"Yes, he has," she agreed. "We all have. Except, the Leo I remember was a realist, and he used to recognize that full-scale peace in Nohr would have its limitations. To plan to liberate our most valuable conquests such as Cheve, for example, is bordering on reckless. But because you dream of something all-encompassing, and Leo loves you, that's what he's stubbornly fighting for now - no matter how run down it makes him in the process."

Camilla then smiled. "It's all rather sweet, isn't it? And very romantic, in a way. I suppose that you could even say he's trying to give you the world."

Give her… the world?

Sakura bit her lip. Was that really true?

Then again, she supposed that it ultimately didn't matter… whatever Leo's reasons were for pushing himself so hard, Camilla was right about all the challenges he was facing. Somehow, Sakura had to find a way to help him shoulder all his burdens.

… And maybe she could start by ensuring that those who were suffering in Windmire were properly cared for.

"Sakura, aren't you coming?" Hana asked. "Please don't fall behind here… it isn't safe."

"Of c-course," Sakura promised, but she continued to let her thoughts ruminate while she hurried to keep up with Hana and Camilla on their way back to the castle.

Following a quick meal and a trip to the castle healer to have her bruises seen to, Sakura began to wander through the circular hallways of Krakenburg. Her heart was racing at the thought of seeing Leo, which was nothing out of the ordinary - although, tonight she wasn't certain if the main cause was excitement, or fear. She was really looking forward to telling him about her day out in Windmire, as well as sharing her ideas for the city with him; but at the same time, she'd already resolved to discuss more… delicate matters with him first.

That was the part that terrified her. But ultimately, if Leo told her that it was his intention to take on one or more concubines, as per Nohrian tradition, then what right did she have to ask him not to? She was his wife, yes, but she was also believed to be barren, and he was a king who needed heirs. Besides, he was already doing so much for her - even more than she'd ever realized, if what Camilla had told her earlier was true - that it seemed unfair for her to demand anything else from him.

Maybe… maybe he could at least give it some time first, just to confirm that her healers had been right? After all, if she really could give him a child, then… then…

And if she couldn't, was she only postponing the inevitable?

Whatever the outcome, she was driving herself crazy thinking about this, and she knew that she needed to talk to him… at the very least, she needed to tell him how she was feeling. So, gathering her courage, she headed to the royal wing, where she was allowed entry by the stationed guards.

In order to calm her nerves before meeting with Leo - and also, because she really needed it - she first drew herself a bath, trying to relax as the warm water in her wooden tub soothed her entire body. Considering that she'd spent so much time among the sick, she was careful to also scrub herself clean, although she could feel her eyelids drooping as she did so. The amount of healing magic that she'd used in such a short period of time had truly exhausted her, and as her eyes forced themselves shut, she promised herself that she would open them again in just a minute.

By the time she really did open them, the bathwater had turned cold and her fingers and toes were all pruned.

Merciful gods, what time was it?

She quickly put on a new dress, not even bothering to look in the mirror glass before leaving her room and searching for Leo's quarters. But her ears perked up when she thought she heard his voice, followed by the sound of a door closing. Maybe he was looking for her? It was rather late, and he'd probably been expecting her for a while now.

Heading toward the area where she thought she'd heard him, she halted completely when she caught sight of a woman instead. It took a moment for Sakura to recognize her, but she eventually realized that it was the blue-haired woman whom she'd seen in the Great Hall earlier.

And she'd just come from… Leo's room?

Once the woman caught sight of her, she gave Sakura such a cold look that it made her shiver. But then, as if catching herself, her expression suddenly changed, and her mouth flipped upward into a friendly smile.

"Ah, you must be Queen Sakura," the woman noted, speaking so softly that Sakura had to strain to hear her. "Leo said he'd been expecting you, but that he'd grown tired of waiting, so he summoned for me instead. There's no need for you to worry, though. I took care of all his… needs for the night."

Sakura gasped and took a step backward, unable to stop her entire body from shaking. A refutation rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down as she noticed the woman's smeared lip paint and disheveled hair, which corroborated her words. And besides, how would she have even gotten into the royal wing without Leo's permission? To her understanding, only she and the Nohrian royal family, as well as their retainers and Lord Rath, were allowed to enter this wing without an escort.

And then, for her to refer to Leo without his title as well, as if she… she…

"I'm so very happy to finally meet you, my queen," the woman added, her tone kind and sweet, although she made no acknowledgment of Sakura's current distress. "You haven't asked for it yet, but my name is Alys. You might want to remember that, since I'm sure we'll be as good as sister wives soon."

Suddenly, Sakura felt lightheaded, as if all of her blood was rushing rapidly from her head. Her eyes grew wide but her pupils were unseeing, and she was finding it hard to breathe through all of the pain she was feeling. Foolishly, she thought that she'd prepared herself for this eventuality, that she could at least accept a concubine for Nohr's sake - just like Katerina, Arete, and all of the other Nohrian queens who had come before her.

She'd been wrong, though, so very wrong, and nothing could have prepared her for how much this hurt.

Sakura didn't even notice that Alys had left… all she could focus on was the feeling of her heart breaking into a million pieces. And as her tears finally began to fall without abandon, she ran to her room and cried herself to sleep.

Author's Note: Oh no, what is Leo doing? :(

Also, as you may have noticed, I put in quite a bit of Nohrian world building in this chapter. I hope that stuff isn't too boring, I can never tell...

Coming up: Sakura runs into more trouble in Windmire; Leo and Sakura have an important talk.